Exercise chair



June 19, 1962 R. s. LUCE 3, 3 ,456

EXERCISE CHAIR Filed Dec. 24, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ronald S. Luce ZNVENTOR.

United States atet Free

3,039,456 EXERCISE CHAIR Ronald S. Luce, Columbia Falls, Mont. Filed Dec. 24, 1959, Ser. No. 861,996 9 Claims. (Cl. 128-25) This invention relates generally to exercising equipment and more particularly to a chair device particularly dfsigned for use by paralytics, arthritics, and other cripp es.

It is well appreciated that it is often advisable to exercise the affected limbs of cripples. Various procedures have been developed for providing such persons with an adequate degree of exercise without causing exertion of the person and further undesirable effects. Also, mechanical devices have been developed by the prior art and are available on the market for moving the limbs in a desired manner. Often, these devices appear disadvantageous inasmuch as properly functioning models are expensive and complex and less expensive simpler models are unreliable. In view of this, it is the principal object of this invention to provide a novel chair construction particularly designed for use by cripples for the purpose of exercising the various limbs. Also, provision is made for exercising the neck and head area.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel exercise chair construction wherein a crippled person may comfortably sit therein and with his limbs positioned in a particular manner, may be subjected to limb exercises with a minimum amount of effort on his part. Drive means, preferably, an electric motor, is carried by the chair support structures and drives the various limb assemblies to bend the various body joints.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a novel exercise chair construction which is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain and which is reliable in operation. The construction of the chair is relatively simple and the movements utilized are not complex.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational plan view of the chair construction illustrating the left leg assembly extended, left arm assembly bent, right leg assembly bent, and right arm assembly extended;

FIGURE 2 is an elevational side view of the chair construction in a position similar to that illustrated in FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an elevational rear view of the chair construction illustrating the chair in -a position similar to that of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating particularly the moving parts of the left portion of the invention.

With continuing reference to the drawings, numeral generally represents the exercise chair comprising this invention and including a support structure 12 having identical side portions, the left side portion being generally designated by the numeral 14 and the right side portion by the numeral 16. A rear portion 18 bridges the side portions 14 and 16. A base or bottom 20 is provided and is secured to each of the side portions and the rear portion.

Supported on the base 20 is a driving source 22 preferably an electric motor. The motor 22 operatively drives circular disks, left and right respectively, 24 and 26 through a central shaft 28 and appropriate reduction gears 30. First tie rods 32 and '34, left and right respectively,

are pivotally and eccentrically secured to the circular disks 24 and 26 at 36 and 38, respectively. Inasmuch as the left and right sides of the exercise chair 10 are identical, additional reference will be made only to the left portions and it will be understood that the right portions are constructed and operate in an identical manner. However, it is here to be noted that the connections 36 and 38 representing the connections between the first tie rods 32 and 34 and the disks 24 and 26, are displaced 180 relative to each other.

A rocker arm 40 is pivoted to the side portion 14 by a pivot pin 42 extending through the center thereof. The tie rod 32 is pivoted to the rocker arm 40 at point 44 proximate the lower end of the rocker arm. Pivoted to the rocker arm 40 at the upper end at point 46 is a second tie rod 48 which extends rearwardly and is slidably passed through a sleeve support 56 secured to the side portion 14. It will be appreciated then that as the motor 22 rotates the disk 24, the tie rod 82 being eccentrically pivoted to disk 24 reciprocates longitudinally so as to rock the rocker arm 48 about central pivot point 42. In turn, tie rod 48 will be slidably moved through sleeve 50. It is to be noted at this point that although a greater than 90 movement of the rocker arm is illustrated, such illustration is made for the clarity of explanation and actually it is contemplated that the rocker arm movement be considerably less than 90.

The rear portion 18 has forwardly projecting rigid members 52 and an inclined rigid back 54 is supported between the members 52 and the rear portion 18. A standard 56 projects upwardly from the back 54 as particularly illustrated in FIGURE 2.

A leg assembly generally designated by the numeral 60 includes an upper leg assembly 62 hinged to the back 54 at 64. A lower leg assembly 66 is hinged to the upper leg assembly 62 at 68. The lower leg asesrnbly 66 includes a transversely projecting element 70 which defines a foot rest.

A collar 74 in the form of an apertured block is slidably received on the tie rod 32. A setscrew 76 is provided for securing the collar 74 in a selected position on the tie rod 32. A link 78 is pivotally connected between the collar 74 at 80 and the lower leg assembly 66 proximate to the heel rest 70 at 82. It will be appreciated that as the motor 22 rotates the disk 24, the tie rod 32 will be reciprocated so as to move the collar 74 forward and rearward of the supporting structure. Of course, the connected link 78 will carry the heel element 70 along with it so as to flex the leg assembly 68 at hinges 68 and 64 between an extended and bent position. Inasmuch as the left and right leg assemblies, as noted above, are displaced by 180", a person sitting in the chair, resting against the back 54, will have his legs oppositely and alternately extended and contracted.

An arm assembly generally designated at 9a is provided and includes a lower arm assembly 92 and upper arm assembly 94. An elbow joint is provided at 96 and a shoulder joint is provided at 98. A link 180 which is bifurcated as is best illustrated in FIGURE 1 receives a pivot pin 1% therethrough which allows pivotal movement about a horizontal axis thereof. The upper arm assembly 94 includes members 184 and 166 having a bolt running longitudinally therethrough. A projection 112 on the member 188 is rotatably received in a socket in the member 104 so as to permit movement about the axis of the upper arm. The lower arm assembly 92 is pivotable about the elbow joint 96 in a manner which is apparent from FIGURE 1. The lower end of the lower arm assembly 92 is bifurcated as at 113 and a pivot pin 114 projects therethrough and includes a block 116 having a stub spindle 118 depending therefrom which is rotatably received in a socket in collar 120 apertured at 122 for receiving tie rod 48 therethrough. A setscrew 124 is provided for securing the collar 12% in a selective position on the tie rod 48. It will therefore be appreciated that as the motor 22 rotates the disk 24, the rocker arm 40 will reciprocate the tie rod 48 and the collar 120 will be moved so as to flex the arm assembly 90 in the manner indicated.

Further exercise means are provided in the form of a movable head assembly generally designated by the numeral 130. A collar 132 is adjustably positioned on the tie rod 32 and a link 134 extends therefrom. The link 134 is pivoted to a rigid member 136 at point 133. The member 136 is fixed to a spindle 14d passing through a bearing 142 carried by the rear support portion 18.

he spindle 140 is bent transversely as at 144 and is pivoted to a vertically extending rod 146. The rod 146 is bifurcated at 148 and pivotally secured to a bar 1511 pivoted to a rearwardly extending projection 152 secured to the back 54 as at 154. The end of the bar 150 remote from the rod 14-6 is pivoted to the member 158 at point 160. The member 158 is bent in the manner indicated, inclined upwardly initially and then formed horizontally. The horizontal portion is pivoted at pivot axis 162 to a rearwardly extending operator 164 pivoted at 166 to the standard 56. The operator 164 carries a pillow or padded block 168. It will be appreciated that the operator 164 pivots about point 166 when the disk 24 is rotated inasmuch as the tie rod 32 reciprocates longitudinally so as to reciprocate the rod 146 vertically and pivot the bar 150 about point 154. As bar 150 pivots, it in turn causes operator 164 to pivot about point 166 due to the bent configuration of member 158.

It is thought that the construction of the invention should now be well appreciated. In the operation of the device, it is to be noted that the left side extends the leg assembly when it bends the arm assembly and the right side operates in the same manner, 180 out of phase with the left side. It should therefore be appreciated that the applicant has herein provided novel and simple chair exercise means wherein the limbs of a cripple who is seated therein may be exercised. It of course is to be recognized that the extent of movement of the various portions of the invention may be readily adjusted dependent upon the particular patient and prescribed treatment.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An exercise chair particularly designed for use by paralytics or such comprising a supporting structure, movably mounted limb assemblies and head support carried by said structure and drive means operatively connected to said limb assemblies and head support for moving said assemblies, said limb assemblies defining left and right leg assemblies and left and right arm assemblies, said structure including identical side portions and a rear portion bridging said side portions and extending between said arm assemblies.

2. An exercise chair particularly designed for use by paralytics or such comprising a supporting structure, movably mounted and generally horizontally extending jointed limb assemblies carried by said structure and drive means operatively connected to said limb assemblies for moving said assemblies, said limb assemblies defining left and right leg assemblies and left and right arm assemblies, said supporting structure including identical side portions and a rear portion bridging and connecting said side portions, said drive means including a rotatable shaft, rocker arms pivotally secured to each of said side portions spaced from said shaft, and first tie rods eccentrically and pivotally secured to said shaft connecting said shaft to said rocker arms.

3. An exercise chair particularly designed for use by paralytics or such comprising a supporting structure, movably mounted and generally horizontally extending jointed limb assemblies carried by said structure and drive means operatively connected to said limb assemblies for moving said assemblies, said limb assemblies defining left and right leg assemblies and left and right arm assemblies, said supporting structure including identical side portions and a rear portion bridging and connecting said side portions, said drive means including a rotatable shaft, rocker arms pivotally secured to each of said side portions spaced from said shaft, and first tie rods eccentrically and pivotally secured to said shaft connecting said shaft to said rocker arms, second tie rods pivotally connected to said rocker arms remote from said first tie rods, support means spaced from said rocker arms for slidably passing the free end of said second tie rods, and said second tie rods pivotally connected to at least some of said limb assemblies so as to move them relative to said supporting structure.

4. An exercise chair particularly designed for use by paralytics or such comprising a supporting structure, movably mounted limb assemblies carried by said structure and drive means operatively connected to said limb assemblies for moving said assemblies, said limb assemblies defining left and right leg assemblies and left and right arm assemblies, a fixed back secured to said supporting structure between said side and rear portions, each of said leg assemblies including upper and lower leg assemblies, said upper leg assemblies hinged to said fixed back, said lower leg assemblies hinged to said upper leg assemblies, said right limb assemblies operated out of phase with said left limb assemblies, and said limb assemblies on each side of said structure operated in opposite directions simultaneously.

5. An exercise chair particularly designed for use by paralytics or such comprising a supporting structure, movably mounted limb assemblies carried by said structure and drive means operatively connected to said limb assemblies for moving said assemblies, said limb assemblies defining left and right leg assemblies and left and right arm assemblies, a fixed back secured to said supporting structure between said side and rear portions, each of said leg assemblies including upper and lower leg assemblies, said upper leg assemblies hinged to said fixed back, said lower leg assemblies hinged to said upper leg assemblies, said drive means including a rotatable shaft, rocker arms pivotally secured to each of said side portions spaced from said shaft, first tie rods eccentrically and pivotally secured to said shaft connecting said shaft to one portion of said rocker arms, second tie rods, means pivotally connecting each second tie rod between one of said first tie rods and one of the lower leg assemblies.

6. An exercise chair particularly designed for use by paralytics or such comprising a supporting structure, movably mounted limb assemblies carried by said structure and drive means operatively connected to said limb assemblies for moving said assemblies, said limb assemblies defining left and right leg assemblies and left and right arm assemblies, a fixed back secured to said supporting structure between said side and rear portions, each of said leg assemblies including upper and lower leg assemblies, said upper leg assemblies hinged to said fixed back, said lower leg assemblies hinged to said upper leg assemblies, said drive means including a rotatable shaft, rocker arms pivotally secured to each of said side portions spaced from said shaft, and first tie rods eccentrically and pivotally secured to said shaft connecting said shaft to said rocker arms, second tie rods pivotally connected to said rocker arms remote from said first tie rods, means pivotally connecting said arm assemblies to said second tie rods, and support means spaced from said 5 rocker arms for slidably guiding the free end of said second tie rods.

7. An exercise chair as defined in claim 5, wherein the outer ends of said arm assemblies are pivotally connected to the rocker arm by a third tie rod.

8. A device as defined in claim 7, wherein a fourth tie rod is connected between a movable head support and said first tie rod.

9. An exercise chair particularly designed for use by paralytics or such comprising a supporting structure, movably mounted limb assemblies carried by said structure and drive means operatively connected to said limb assemblies for moving said assemblies, said limb assemblies defining left and right leg assemblies and left and right arm assemblies, a fixed back secured to said supporting structure between said side and rear portions, each of said leg assemblies including upper and lower leg assemblies, said upper leg assemblies hinged to said fixed back, said lower leg assemblies hinged to said upper leg assemblies, said drive means including a rotatable shaft, rocker arms pivotally secured to each of said side portions spaced from said shaft, first tie rods eocentrically and pivotally secured to said shaft connecting said shaft to one portion of said rocker arms, and second tie rods connecting portions of said first tie rods to the lower leg assemblies, mechanical means connecting said arm assemblies to said first tie rods, said right limbs operating 180 out of phase 10 with said left limbs.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 326,247 Root Sept. 15, 1885 15 2,681,650 Goss June 22, 1954 2,696,207 Bushnell Dec. 7, 1954 2,763,261 Masmonteil Sept. 18, 1956 2,819,713 Buck Jan. 14, 1958 

